Stars will shine on opening night

At this year’s U.S. Open, tennis will show a lot of love to disadvantaged youth.
The United States Tennis Association’s National Charitable Foundation, USTA Serves, will host its 11th annual opening night gala at the U.S. Open on Monday, August 29. The evening will feature honored guests, including Grammy and Emmy winner Tony Bennett, Robin Roberts, co-anchor of ABC’s “Good Morning America,” and Golden Globe and Emmy-award winner Alec Baldwin.
The opening night gala is the major fundraiser for USTA Serves and contributes more than $400,000 to help fund college scholarships and program grants to community-based tennis and education programs throughout the country.
“We’ve seen, time and again, that when you give young people a chance to succeed; they grab the opportunity and make the most of it,” said Mary Carillo, president, USTA Serves. “That’s why we support these efforts that provide kids with that chance.”
Carillo will host the Gala’s dinner and the evening’s festivities.
USTA Serves has awarded more than $14 million to grassroots tennis and education programs that enhance the lives of at-risk children and those with special needs. Also, the foundation has provided more than 18 million hours of mentoring, tutoring and nutrition guidance to more than 225,000 kids.
Carillo said that the success of this one night allows the foundation to continue supporting programs that increase students’ high school graduation rates, grade point averages and reading grade levels.
The Gala’s auction will feature many valuable items, including a trip to the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, a luncheon with New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a meet-and-greet with Alec Baldwin on the set of “30 Rock,” trips to St. Barth’s and Barbados Islands and a trip to the 2012 Wimbledon Championships. Baldwin will serve as the celebrity auctioneer.
During the evening’s festivities, USTA Serves also will celebrate Tony Bennett’s 85th birthday and serve the “Tony Bennett Cupcake” created by Bare Naked Bakery of Long Island.
For more information, please visit www.USTAServes.com.